Tavon White Back On Stand In BGF Trial
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Testimony continues. The alleged ringleader of the Black Guerilla Family gang, Tavon White, took the stand again Monday.
Mike Hellgren has more on Monday's testimony.
In their last chance to tear down Tavon White's credibility, defense attorneys tried to paint him as violent and vengeful, a man who would do anything to save himself.
BGF gang member turned federal informant Tavon White revealed rampant sex behind bars at the Baltimore City Detention Center, facing tough questions from defense attorney Carmen Hernandez, who claims White's lying to get a lenient deal from the government.
White spoke about sexual relations with at least six correctional officers. He impregnated three of them. Two of the officers tattooed his name on their bodies.
He testified about keeping watch for gang allies, including one who had sex in the officers' dining room. He said, "If I'm in the hallway, I'm going to look out and support a BGF member who's trying to have sex."
"Of course. Even when I was a sergeant doing my rounds at the jail, there were correctional officers who were lookouts for when I was coming. Unfortunate, those are the type of things that happened and that's why we're in federal court today," said former sergeant Ralph Johnson, Jr., who worked in the jail as White was coming into power.
Tavon White described outright disrespect for other officers, including to choke one who was the mother of his children and upset that he was having sex with other women. He said another officer watched the violent encounter and did nothing.
Out of control behavior continued. Defense attorneys claim White became angry at another officer who wouldn't give him back $20,000 he'd given her for safe-keeping. There was a loud fight in the jail and she threw a pitcher of water at him.
Defense attorney: "Can we agree you ruled by force?"
White: "Yes."
Defense attorney: "A little intimidation, too?"
White: "Yes."
"It was extremely embarrassing. That which was dark is coming to light," said Johnson.
White remains on the witness stand. He said he would never lie under oath but a defense attorney pointed out he had no problem trying to kill and running a drug ring behind bars.
White has been on the witness stand for parts of three weeks. The trial is expected to last into the new year.
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